Building a knowledge economy requires more than formal education. It requires practical expertise, access to technology and meaningful connections between learning and employment.
Through the ICT for Kosovo’s Growth Project, the European Union has invested in this critical part of Kosovo’s development, helping young people turn digital knowledge into professional opportunities and contribute to the country’s economic transformation.
While EU investment in Kosovo has supported education and the development of a new generation of professionals across sectors, support for the digital economy brings together three essential elements: people, technology and opportunities for professional growth.
The European Union has consistently invested in programmes that help young people acquire relevant expertise and gain experience that responds to the needs of a changing economy. The ICT for Kosovo’s Growth Project has placed human capital at the centre of this digital transformation.
Preparing Talent for Industry Needs
Tringa Baftiu, a computer and software engineering student, was among 198 trainees certified in 2024 after completing a 300-hour advanced ICT training programme covering seven modules, and delivered by Kosovo and international trainers. Through the Java Enterprise and Mobile Development course, she strengthened her technical expertise while also developing professional skills such as communication, time management and professional presentation — all important for entering and progressing in the workplace.
For Nora Havolli, who has experience in banking and holds a master’s degree in business strategy and organisation, the EU-funded project provided an opportunity to build on her existing professional background and adapt her skills to the growing role of digital technologies.
Through the Big Data Analytics course, she gained a stronger understanding of how data can inform decision-making and risk management — knowledge she now applies directly in her daily work. For Nora, investing in people is essential for Kosovo to keep pace with global innovation and technological change.
Teuta Pajaziti-Merovci, who participated in the Artificial Intelligence module, describes the programme as offering much more than a certification. Its modern learning methods, professional environment and opportunities for knowledge exchange broadened her perspective and helped open pathways towards more advanced roles in the digital sector.
From Training to Employment
These experiences reflect the broader impact of the ICT for Kosovo’s Growth Project, funded by the European Union and implemented by WeGlobal and Prishtina REA. Between 2020 and 2025, the programme trained more than 3,100 young people and certified over 2,500 participants in areas including Web Development, Cybersecurity, Python, Big Data and Analytics, Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence.
The programme has also contributed to greater participation of women in the digital sector. Women accounted for 43% of those certified, helping expand access to professional opportunities in a field that has traditionally been male-dominated.
The project’s reach extended beyond training. More than 505 participants reported being employed, while its professional internship scheme provided opportunities to gain practical work place experience and establish direct connections with employers. For many participants, this combination of specialised training and workplace exposure has provided a practical route from education into professional life.
From Investment to Impact
The results illustrate how investment in people can translate into wider economic opportunity. By combining specialised training with professional experience and connections to employers, the ICT for Kosovo’s Growth Project has helped participants move from acquiring new knowledge to applying it in the workplace.
For Kosovo’s emerging knowledge economy, this connection is increasingly important. Digital transformation depends not only on technology, but also on people with the skills to use it, develop it and create value through it. EU investment in ICT therefore goes beyond individual training: it contributes to building the professional capacity needed for Kosovo’s digital and economic development, while supporting a more competitive economy in which digital expertise can drive innovation, productivity and new employment opportunities.
